Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17729522825061772952280673.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="People buy fish at a public market in Quezon City on January 19, 2021. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">People buy fish at a public market in Quezon City on January 19, 2021.<em> George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the annual closed fishing season for galunggong – also called round scad – has led to the increase of its stocks, citing the success of the annual fishing cycle.</p><p>In a statement, BFAR said the annual fishing ban led to the increased volume of galunggong production during the third quarter of 2024, reaching 3,363.75 metric tons (MT) – “a sequential increase of 55.1 percent.”</p><p>BFAR said galunggong was the top contributor to the total commercial fish production in Mimaropa as it represented 27.1 percent of the total fish catch.</p><p>“Enforcement of the fishing cycle has also led to a decrease in fishing mortality and the amount of immature galunggong in the catch,” the statement read.</p><p>“The roundscad also showed an increase in average length from 16.8 cm in 2015 to 17.6 cm in 2024, suggesting ‘improved growth and a healthier, more mature population,’” it added.</p><p>BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig said the fishing cycle allows galunggong to thrive in Palawan waters and its success ensures a balance in ecological and economical interests in the local fishing industry.</p><p>“The success of the annual roundscad fishing cycle in Palawan shows what we can do together through science and discipline. It proves that science-based conservation is not a hindrance to the fishing industry, but its greatest ally,&quot; Salilig said, based on the statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/marcos-ready-to-certify-agriculture-cooperatives-act-as-urgent-1126"><strong>Marcos ‘ready’ to certify Agriculture Cooperatives Act as urgent</strong></a></div><p>He said the National Stock Assessment Program confirmed the positive development.</p><p>The official also expressed his gratitude to the Palawan fishing community for their compliance with the yearly fishing cycle, which has been enforced for over a decade already.</p><p>“By respecting the natural spawning cycles of the galunggong, we are not just protecting an ecosystem; we are securing the food supply and the livelihoods of thousands of Filipino fishers for years to come,” said Salilig.</p><p>The closed season for commercial fishing of galunggong in Northern Palawan runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 each year and is lifted between Feb. 1 and Oct. 31.</p><p>The fishing cycle, implemented through a 2015 administrative order, covers waters in the West Philippine Sea and the Northern Sulu Sea.</p><p>Authorities said the policy helps keep key breeding grounds largely undisturbed during the closed season, protecting the species during its peak spawning period.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/25/da-freezes-agricultural-land-reclassification-applications-1838"><strong>DA freezes agricultural land reclassification applications</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hOjf41LlG1I?si=yVlVrlp17BmlKIv0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the annual closed fishing season for galunggong – also called roundscad – has led to the increase of its stocks, citing the success of the annual fishing cycle.</p>

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the annual closed fishing season for galunggong – also called roundscad – has led to the increase of its stocks, citing the success of the annual fishing cycle.

BFAR: Annual fishing ban increased galunggong stocks

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BFAR: Annual fishing ban increased galunggong stocks

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 08, 2026 03:55 PM PHT

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